California Department of Parks and Recreation manages more than 270 park units, which contain the finest and most diverse collection of natural, cultural, and recreational resources to be found within California.

The Office of Grants and Local Services administers grant programs that provide funds to local and state agencies and other organizations. Grants are generally for park, recreation and resources related projects.

The State Park System is diverse, preserving large natural areas in all ten of the state's ecological regions. The goal of the State Parks resource management program is to protect, restore and maintain the natural resources in the State Park System.

CEQA - the California Environmental Quality Act, is a statute that requires state and local agencies to identify the significant environmental impacts of their actions and to avoid or mitigate those impacts, if feasible.

Our Mission. To provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state's extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation.

Find a Park Near You!

Passes are also available for purchase at most units of the California State Park System

Upcoming Park Events

School Tours for the Path of The Padres will start on March 5th and continue through May 1st, 2015! School tours are offered for 4th- 8th grade students free of charge. These tours start at Los Banos ... ... Read More

Saturday, March 7 at 1 p.m. How do artifacts give us clues to the past? Follow the archeological process from the dig to the display, and participate in hands-on activities to discover the stories tol ... ... Read More

Saturday, March 7 from 10 a.m. to Noon AND Friday, March 13 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Meet at the Visitor Center via the Parks main entrance off Hwy 9 in Felton. Join Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park doce ... ... Read More

The California State Parks staff at the San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area will again be leading the popular "Path of the Padres" hikes for the public on Saturdays and Sundays starting March 7 ... ... Read More

Saturday, March 7 at 12 p.m. Sunday, March 8 at 12 p.m. Saturday, March 14 at 12 p.m. Sunday, March 15 at 12 p.m. Sunday, March 22 at 12 p.m. Saturday, March 28 at 12 p.m. Sunday, March 29 at 12 p.m. ... ... Read More